New York Jets (3-3) – Philadelphia Eagles (5-1): 20-14
Eternal losers against the Eagles in their entire history (12 defeats, 0 victories before this match), the Jets broke the curse by winning this Sunday against the Eagles who were generous in losing the ball. The finalists of the last Super Bowl were completely locked by Robert Saleh’s men.
The Eagles’ offense unfolds… then nothing
Orphaned by their two starting cornerbacks DJ Reed and Sauce Gardner, the Jets suffered the blow on Philadelphia’s first possession. After an interminable drive of almost 10 minutes and 91 yards, the inevitable Jalen Hurts forces the New York lock on a confusing play (called as a fumble then as a touchdown). However, this methodical drive will be a foil to the rest of the Eagles’ offensive performance.
Jalen Hurts (28/45, 280 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, 8 races, 47 yards, 1 touchdown) is the first suspect in the dock. To the disadvantage of a New York air defense in glue mode (12 passes defended!), the quarterback multiplies the errors and the loss of balls. Three interceptions (his fifth, sixth and seventh of the year): unusual for the former Alabama player who had thrown fewer (6) over the entire 2022 season! On the ground, the help is non-existent (D’Andre Swift: 18 yards), and the attack relies almost solely on the flashes of AJ Brown (7 receptions, 131 yards).
New York is catching up
Trailing 14-3 in the middle of the second quarter, the Jets do not give the impression of being able to recover. Zach Wilson (19/33, 186 yards) takes several avoidable sacks, but has the merit of not committing a loss of ball (with the exception of a fourth failed attempt). For New York also the ground game is not falling into place, and Breece Hall is struggling to have his usual impact: 12 races, 39 yards, 1 touchdown.
However, possession after possession, taking advantage of Philly’s turnovers and advantageous starting positions, the Jets racked up field goals while the defense annihilated the opposing attack. The Jets manage to come back to 14-12 in the second half. The Jets’ front seven is terrifying: the surprise Bryce Huff collects another 1.5 sacks, Quincy Williams tackles 12 times and recovers a fumble, his brother Quinnen Williams also intercepts a ball.
In the last two minutes, Hurts throws another interception, brought back a few inches from the goal by Tony Adams. That’s all it takes for Breece Hall to finally break the deadlock and put the Jets in front.
Philly’s last possession will do nothing, the local defense is possessed: 20-14 victory for the Jets, who take the scalp of the last undefeated team in the league.
